Law firms pumped millions into NY campaigns as lawmakers made it easier to sue: report

Trial lawyers pumped millions of dollars into the campaign coffers of New York politicians in a push to expand laws that made it easier to file lawsuits, according to a business advocacy group analysis.

The top 20 plaintiffs’ law firms donated $4.7 million to New York’s lawmakers including Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James from 2017 through last year, according to the report prepared by the nonprofit American Tort Reform Association.

The state Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee took in a whopping $864,000 — the most donations combined.

Also raking in were the NYS Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, which took in $810,00, while Gov. Kathy Hochul and the NYS Senate Republican Committee took in $465,000 and $329,000, respectively.

Ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo received $272,000 over the span, while James received $158,500 from the top law firms, according to the analysis.

Sacks & Sacks and Gair, Gair Conason were the two largest donors among law firms — contributing more than $553,000 and $538,000 respectively.

Nearly 70% of these contributions went to LawPAC, the political action committee affiliated with the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, which in turn funneled significant sums to candidates and other campaigns.

Tort reform advocates point out that while Hochul is among the top recipients of contributions from law firms, she has sometimes rejected tort bar’s priorities, recognizing the potentially damaging economic impacts of liability expansion.

For example, Hochul last December vetoed for the second time the “Grieving Families Act” that would have expanded the state’s “wrongful death statute.”

The change would have made it easier for families to file claims in court after losing a family member because of negligence, including in medical malpractice cases, and allow them to sue for emotional damages.

Families can currently only cite “economic hardship” caused instead of damages caused by pain and suffering.

But state lawmakers continue passing bills that would increase litigation and make payouts more lucrative for the personal injury trial bar and the group labels New York City a “judicial hellhole” for nuisance and costly lawsuits.

According to the ATRA, every New York resident pays a “tort tax” of more than $2,318 every year due to excessive legal costs.

Meanwhile, a second report by the group found that trial lawyers and their affiliates spent more than $97 million on more than 1 million local legal services advertisements across New York state in 2023 — an increase of at least 6% from 2022, according to preliminary data.

The group noted that prominent law firms such as Martin Harding & Mazzotti and Jacoby & Meyers feature prominently in both categories — advertising and campaign donations.

“These reports provide keen insight into the operation of  the ‘trial lawyer playbook,’ pointing to a system easily skewed against consumers and taxpayers.” Tiger Joyce, ATRA president said.

“Excessive legal advertising creates a culture of litigation and inflates costs. Additionally, the close financial ties between trial lawyers and politicians raise concerns about undue influence and a lack of transparency.”

Ashley Ranslow, New York director of the National Federation of Independent Business, praised the report.

“The trial lawyers are one of the top special interests in Albany. Small employers make up the majority of businesses in the state, so they are a prime target for frivolous litigation,” Ranslow said.

“Our local business owners are navigating high costs, supply chain disruptions, workforce shortages, and crime,” Ranslow added. “They can’t afford inflated insurance premiums and costly legal battles that result from meritless lawsuits and predatory litigation. It is unfortunate, but that’s why a substantial part of advocating on behalf of small businesses is fighting back against the trial lawyers’ agenda.”

The Post reached out to the New York State Trial Lawyers Association for comment.